Tag: ducts

Know When To Call for Duct Repair

Most people are surprised to learn that the air ducts in the central HVAC system account for about 50% of the system's cost. This is true for the materials and installation costs. Furthermore, air ducts are where the most energy is lost due to inefficiencies, causing elevated monthly costs. Since air ducts account for so much of the infrastructure and cost of an HVAC system, they must stay in good shape to keep the home comfortable. 

When air ducts are damaged, they can lead to problems in the home. Here are a few signs that they are damaged and that the owner may benefit from professional air duct repairs. 

Dusty Air Vents and a Dirty Home 

Air ducts convey all the air in the home several times per day. If there is a problem with the indoor air, it will show in the air ducts. Likewise, problems in the air ducts can be detected by keeping an eye on indoor air quality. The first sign that air ducts are damaged is poor air quality in the home. Look at the air vents to spot the signs of poor indoor air quality. If there is a high level of dust clinging to the vents, the air is laden with particles. The dust particles may be coming from everyday activities, or they could be coming from holes in the ductwork that allow extra dust to enter.  

The second place to look to spot air quality issues that may indicate damaged ductwork is the general housekeeping in the home. When high dust levels are present in the home, surfaces quickly become dusty. If it seems like dusting is a constant chore, the problem could be damaged ductwork. 

Poor or Unbalanced Airflow 

Since the ductwork conveys air around the home, the second sign of damaged air ducts is problems with airflow. Air ducts can become damaged in a number of ways. They can be crushed by degrading over time or careless contractors damaging them during repairs. They can also become obstructed by dust and grime or leak conditioned air. In any of these cases, the sign of trouble will be airflow problems. 

Airflow problems may manifest as uneven heating and cooling, or noticeable drops in air pressure may come from vents. If the home seems to be lacking in comfort, chances are damaged ductwork is to blame. 

Climbing Energy Bills 

Air ducts must be heavily insulated to keep the system efficient. When conditioned air is allowed to lose heat energy, the HVAC system must stay on longer to compensate for the loss of efficiency. This leads to a noticeable increase in heating and cooling bills. 

Often, this problem builds slowly. As insulation degrades and the ducts get damaged, bills will slowly climb. Once the problem is noticed, HVAC experts can schedule ductwork repairs to restore efficiency and lower monthly bills. 

About Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning

Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning offers 24/7 service for HVAC problems. Their teams handle air duct repairs and driveway snow melt system installation and repairs. Call today for HVAC service in Boston, MA. 

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